Improvement in redyeing the cushions of car-seats



T. BROWN.

Press Dyeing.

Patented July 31. 1866.

Witnesses:

lnventon PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS BROWN, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

IMPROVE MENT IN REDYEING THE CUSHIONS OF CAR-SEATS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,697, dated July 31, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS BROWN, of Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented a new and useful improvement in Redyeing the Cushions of Railroad-Oar Seats; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached plan or top view of the frame which I use in redyeing the cushions of car-seats.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention consists, first, in exposing the cushions, after they have been redyed, to the action of steam in such amanner that the coloring-matter is firmly united with the fiber,

and is not liable to rub off.

It consists, second, in the arrangement of a water pan or boiler with a perforated shelf and close cover in such a manner that when the cushions, after the dye has been applied to them, are placed on the perforated shelves, the cover is closed and the boiler is exposed to the action of fire, the steam emanating from the water envelops the cushions and causes the dye to unite firmly with the fiber.

It consists, third, in the use of a frame with two adjustable sides, in combination with such cushions which have to be dyed in different colors-for instance, red on one and green on the opposite side-in such a manner that the edges of said cushions can be firmly clamped, and the dyeing material is prevented passing from one side of the cushion to the other.

The operation of redyeing car seats has hitherto been performed by the application of aniline colors without removing the seats from the cars. This operation is very simple, but

it has the great disadvantages that the color is liable to rub off and to soil the wearing-apparel of the passengers. In order to avoid this difficulty I expose the cushions, after the color has been applied to them, to the action of steam, and this purpose is efiected by means of a boiler, A, which is placed over a furnace, B, and which is provided with a perforated shelf, a, and close-fitting cover I). The cushions to besteamed are placed on the shelf a, and the cover is closed down tight. When the water in the boiler begins to boil the steam rising from the same envelops the cushions on the shelf, and the desired object is obtained.

After taking the cushions from the steambath I hang or stand them up in a suitable drying-room, and when dried they are ready for use.

Some cushions, such as the backs of some car-seats, are dyed in different colors-for instance, green on one side and red on the other. For dyeing such cushions I use a frame, 0, such as shown in Fig. 3. This frame is provided with two adjustable sides, 0 d, so that the cushion can be firmly clamped in the frame, and the color applied to one side is prevented from running down to the other side.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is p l. Exposing the cushions, after the color has been applied to them, to the action of steam, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The boiler, with a perforated shelf, a, and. closefitting cover I), in combination with a furnace, B, and with the cushions to be steamed, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The frame 0, withadjustable sides 0 d, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS BROWN.

Witnesses:

JAMES HOLIDAY, HENRY I. BROWN. 

